As NZers of a certain age we remember the ad campaign “don’t leave home until you have seen your country”. New travel goals were added in line with this theme. We would visit Northland, Coromandel, Milford, Dusky Sounds, not all at once of course but you get the picture.
For me I remember a family holiday when I was about 12 …..I think. I can recall the story of Opo the dolphin and visiting Tane Mahuta, and having our picture taken on the Waitangi treaty grounds by the flag pole. For WH, he has barely made it over the harbour bridge so it’s time to refresh and recreate the memories.
There are already a couple of pitfalls which I have uncovered about holidaying or I will say exploring your own country. Firstly it is too easy to postpone it. We were supposed to go about three weeks ago now but various things come up and it’s far to easier to just keep pushing it out. Now however the weather seems to have had enough of the long hot summer and whilst it is exciting the farmers with forecasts of rain ,rain ,rain, its not so great when heading away.
Secondly I am excited about the fact that this is going to be very cruisy as there are no restrictions on my luggage at all. Not by weight, or size or even flammability. I have a big car boot to hold it all – I put my jandals in, my sand shoes, my other dressier cleaner sand shoes, my sandals, even my scuffs…. my jacket, my umbrella (even though there are already two in my boot) …water bottles, chilly bag with a few things that might be needed in case of emergencies like butter, crackers, vegemite, tomatoes that won’t last until we get home, a lemon, lemon tea bags, and nuts. Then of course my little suitcase and WH,s whom I must say is now beginning to suggest that I may not need my latest additions into the car boot. I dismiss his accusatory tone and say the boot is not even full.
Back to the road trip….and more importantly what didn’t go into the boot? Firstly a map. We have several good kiwi maps at home but none in the car. The sat nav one doesn’t give enough info and the wifi on the phone is intermittent and might I say too small to read.
We literally take the scenic route and fittingly when we arrive at the Kauri museum the Jucy van parked next to us said it all…
It’s one thing to say you got lost in France or Italy but not on the skinny tip of home.
The Kauri museum fits into my “I’m not that good at museums” and I have far to quickly for the $25 entry fee seen enough. I also realise, much to my horror, that one of the things I also forgot to put in the boot was my bloody camera. I KNOW. REALLY.
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We move on through pretty country and it feels good now I have moved past the knowledge of no map, no camera and I am no good at museums. We are in search of Tane Mahuta and childhood memories start sweeping slowly into familiarity. The weather is damp and the bush sparkles so as we pull up into the car park the rain stops and we head off through the disinfecting station and into the bush.
You come around the corner and there he is “Tane Mahuta” stands majestically. I choose the word carefully as it is needs something that describes its awesomeness. There are some things Kiwi that give you a shiver, like the haka at a test match, the NZ anthem when someone wins a gold medal, hearing the crowded house song “better be home soon” when you are overseas…..and standing beneath “Tane Mahuta”.
We finish the days journey wandering the picturesque road into the town of Opononi ready for yet another memory to reawaken and new ones to be drawn.
tips for travelling at home.
Pick a date and lock it in. Just like you do when you book your airfare.
Take a map
take your camera.